118th Spring Commencement at UW-Superior

UW System President Ray Cross and UW-Superior Chancellor Renee Wachter proceed into Commencement

Approximately 356 students were eligible to receive diplomas when the University of Wisconsin-Superior conducted its 118th Spring Commencement at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, in Marcovich Wellness Center.

Chancellor Renée Wachter presided over the ceremony and presented diplomas to students who have earned associate, bachelor's and master's degrees. The university granted 331 undergraduate degrees and 25 graduate degrees.

Keynote speaker was Raymond Cross, president of the University of Wisconsin System. The president works with the Board of Regents and oversees the UW System's 13 universities, 13 freshman-sophomore UW Colleges, and statewide UW-Extension.

President Cross praised the students for their hard work and encouraged them to pursue their passions. He reminded them to stay focused and enjoy the present, not worry so much about the future, it will come. Work hard, get involved and have fun along the way, life is too short to sit back and wait, he added.

President Cross also took time to honor the veterans and shared some of his personal experiences in the military and how those events shaped his life to this day.

Student speaker was Robert G. Johnson, of Superior, Wis., who is a fourth generation UW-Superior graduate and graduated with a major in political science-peace studies. He was chosen for the honor based on his academic and student achievements at UW-Superior.

Lynette Pietila, of Eagle River, Wis., and Edward Martin of Chetek, Wis., served as the student marshals and guided graduates into and out of the Commencement ceremony. Each year two student marshals are chosen from among the junior class based on highest scholastic standing.

Dr. Norma Stevlingson, professor of music, was the faculty marshal and led faculty to the ceremony. She has taught at UW-Superior for 39 years, starting in 1975 and will be retiring this June.

Husband and wife Erich and Meghan Jenson were both part of the graduating class. 150 students were first generation college graduates and 22 more were international students.

The University of Wisconsin-Superior is a public liberal arts institution of 2,650 students in the Duluth-Superior, MN-WI metro area.

Founded in 1893 as a teacher's college, UW-Superior now offers more than 30 majors, select graduate programs, and competitive Division III athletics programs, as well as research and scholarship that support the community and region.